AFC Bournemouth
Marc Pugh will leave AFC Bournemouth this summer after nine years at Vitality Stadium.
The 32-year-old winger will depart the club at the end of June upon the expiry of his contract, bringing an incredible Cherries career to a close.
When Pugh joined AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2010 following spells at Burnley, Kidderminster Harriers, Bury, Shrewsbury Town, Luton Town and Hereford United, no-one could have foreseen what was to follow.
With the club in League One at the time, Pugh played a key role in promotion to the second tier in the 2012/13 season, before following it up by lifting the Championship title in 2015.
And he made the step up to the Premier League with ease, helping the Cherries secure their top flight status and laying the foundations for what will soon be a fifth successive season of Premier League football.
Pugh has made 312 appearances in all competitions for AFC Bournemouth, scoring 56 goals, and he will receive a special presentation on the pitch before Saturday’s final home game against Tottenham Hotspur, giving supporters, staff and teammates the opportunity to show their appreciation to the loveable midfielder.
“Marc has been an incredible servant to AFC Bournemouth over the last nine years,” said AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.
“He has epitomised the club’s journey through the Football League to where we are today and has not only been a great player on the pitch but a key figure off it, too.
“He has always displayed incredible professionalism in any situation and he set the standards in terms of teamwork.
“He is someone who has been the perfect role model for younger players to look at and follow.
“I would finally like to say thank you to Marc on behalf of everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth.”
AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said: “Such loyalty and commitment to one club is rare in the modern game, and Marc should be very proud of what he has achieved in nine years here.
“His contribution to AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch cannot be underestimated and he is quite rightly a club legend.
“This gives Marc the opportunity to get the regular game time he wants and deserves and we wish him well for the remainder of his career.”
